3 Things Bali has Taught Me

Here to an island that I call “home” for the last 7 years. As there are more people asking in how I do my life in Bali and how do I cope with everything. Mainly, here are 3 things this island has taught me. And I am keen to elaborate each one of them.

Law of Detachment

The fact that people come and go pretty quick at this island made me realize that first impression does matters. You’ll slowly learn not getting too attached with certain people. I’ve worked with many clients from around the world for their businesses back at the home countries. They were not even on business visa when they came to Bali; and they had to leave Bali as soon as their visa expires. I consider myself lucky as I maintain the interaction with them online.

One thing that is pretty unfortunate is when you know you spent such good time together, building great chemistry for almost a year but at the end, they had to go back to their home countries. I felt pretty sad back at the time. But lesson learned the hard way, isn’t it? Law of detachment.

Set your Boundary right

As a person who spent most of his life in big, capital city, everything seem to be simplified when you’re moving in Bali. Within 3 hours drive, you’re able to reach Bali’s northernmost point all the from Denpasar. That also made the social circle to be technically smaller as everybody tends to know everybody. This is a very important aspect for me as a self-employed worker; is to build a credible professional persona as a priority.

When you emerges to the public attention through your notable work(s), there’s a certain expectation of people watching you what are you going to do next; who are you working with, who are your social circles, what kind of interaction you guys are doing. It’s quite common when I bumped with someone I know when I do my grocery at Grand Lucky. The fact that as an avid introvert, I have to face these small talks. I used to avoid those moments. But I reckon’ I’m doing better lately. Just master yourself giving healthy boundary even towards some of your closest colleagues.

Giving Back to the Island

This is my personal point of view from a non-Balinese; even though, nationally, I’m Indonesian, but I come from different ethnic background. As much as this island gives me new hope in life, back then I always prayed that sometimes, I’d like to give back to this island; no matter how small that thing would be. I’d like to contribute something good; even if it’s not to the whole island, but to an individual, one or two.

Back in 2018 I had a one-on-one conversation with a renowned, leading Indonesian architect at Sanur, he told me that you need to let out; to share what you know in order to absorb new knowledge. That’s how you recycle your brain works. There will be time people seeing you as a mentor. Therefore, do your best to be a good mentor. A couple of years later, I implemented what he said to me.

I am always happy when there are more younger Balinese who works in creative field approaches me, having conversation about how I run my professional career or so. The little I can do is to answer their questions, or even to offer them to work together with me, not only to support them financially; but also the knowledge.

I started to ask younger Balineses to help me with some of my projects since 2019 and I am telling these people are amazing. I am beyond happy when people approaches me, for example, when I was in-charge moderating an event at Ubud Food Festival last year, started talking about how I started and so on.

And one more thing that I think it’s important. This island has the rights to choose people who can stay above its soil. Do it right. Absorb what this island has to offer. Empty your glass. I have seen so many people come & go; just because they didn’t treat this island right.

As I believe that when you’re in Rome, do like the Romans do.